Horsetails are perennial non-flowering plants in the Equisetum genus of the horsetail family. Many of them are native to the Yuba-Sutter area.
Horsetails may be considered "living fossils," because they constitute the only surviving genus in the entire class Equisetopsida, which was very diverse and widespread in the late Paleozoic era, when some Equisetopsida grew to 30 meters tall. Their closest surviving relatives are ferns. Like ferns, horsetails reproduce via spores.
Common Field Horsetail
Field horsetail rush (Equisetum arvense) near Strawberry Valley. Photo by queerbychoice. Common field horsetail is a one-foot-tall horsetail that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 9,500 feet. It is found in central oak woodland, valley grassland, yellow pine forest, and riparian forest. It tolerates partial shade and is equally likely to grow in wetlands or non-wetlands.
You can read more about it at USDA Conservation Plant Characteristics. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Rough Scouring Rush
Scouring rush horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) in Beckwourth Riverfront Park Complex. Photo by queerbychoice. Rough scouring rush (also called common scouring rush) is a four-foot-tall, evergreen horsetail that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 10,000 feet. It is most often found in moist sand or gravel in riparian forest.
You can read more about it at the Theodore Payne Wiki. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Smooth Scouring Rush
Smooth scouring rush is a five-foot-tall horsetail that is native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grows at elevations below 6,500 feet. It is found in riparian forest. It prefers full sun.
You can read more about it at USDA Conservation Plant Characteristics. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Giant Horsetail
Giant horsetail is a horsetail that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 4,500 feet. It is found in riparian forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Ferris' Hybrid Horsetail
Ferris' hybrid horsetail is a naturally ocurring hybrid of scouring rush horsetail and smooth horsetail that is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 6,500 feet. It is found in riparian forest.
